Austin Mayors on Electricity Rates, Planning & Renewables
by Mike Sloan. May 11, 2012.
Here's a look at the last 3 elected Mayors of Austin on 3 metrics for managing the City's electric utility (Austin Energy) over the course of city budgets they were responsible for, from the time they arrived on the job until they left/leave (Voters...
Read More Austin Mayoral Race: The Environmental Facts
by Mike Sloan. May 6, 2012.
While past accomplishments have deservedly earned Austin a reputation among the greenest of cities, what's the straight scoop about the City's current standing and trajectory on being green?
The following is a lengthy email exchange with the Austin Environmental Democrats regarding claims made in their...
Read More Morrison and Tovo Step Up
by Robin Rather, Feb. 9, 2012.
In an unexpected and powerful move this morning, Council-members Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo announced a counter-proposal today that takes the sting out of the Austin Energy rate increase and replaces it with sanity, simplicity and fairness. (The full text of their press release appears...
Read More AE Rate Positions of CCARE, HURF and Data Foundry
by Mike Sloan, Feb. 9, 2012.
Representatives for a broad range of businesses and interest groups have shared their thoughts with City Council regarding the electric rate increase proposed by Austin Energy. Here are the views of a few.
Coalition for Clean Affordable Reliable Energy (CCARE)
CCARE Letter to City Council Feb. 7....
Read More Austin Electric Rates – Act 2
by Paul Robbins, Feb. 7, 2012.
This Thursday at 6 PM at City Hall Chambers, the second public hearing on Austin's electric rate increase is taking place in front of the Austin City Council. People concerned with fair rates and funding for environmental programs are urged to...
Read More Austin Energy’s disastrous rate plan — worse than last one
By Bill Oakey, Feb. 6, 2012.
Please Come to Electric Rate Public Hearing This Thursday
Austin Energy’s latest “revised” proposal does nothing to reduce the utility’s spending, reduce fixed charges for residential customers, stop the shifting of costs from industrial to residential customers, and keep a rate design that rewards energy conservation...
Read More Rate Hike’s Dirty Little Secrets
by John Sutton, Jan. 12, 2012.
The proposed electrical rate hike is bringing out a lot of Austin Energy’s (AE) dirty little secrets.
The utility has been bleeding red ink for five years, but the only solution offered was to raise rates. Why was cutting the budget to size not...
Read More Austin Ponders Increasing Electric Rates
by Robin Rather & Mike Sloan. Jan 12, 2012.
Powersmack recognizes the intense controversy around the proposed Austin Energy rate increase and has asked a diverse set of local contributors to comment on it. We have also linked to other bloggers and media outlet coverage for comprehensive perspective.
Here are...
Read More Austin Energy’s Questionable Rate Increase: Dead on Arrival?
By Bill Oakey and Robin Rather, Jan. 12, 2012.
What on earth possessed Austin Energy to believe it could magically talk the Council into a huge rate increase that for the first time in decades puts a lopsided rate burden on poor and middle class residential customers, small...
Read More Interview: Barbara Day, Austin Electric Utility Commission
Do you feel that Austin Energy needs a rate case at this time? Why or why not.
No, AE has failed to justify a rate increase. Also, the timing of this rate case is poor because beginning December 2010 AE no longer dispatches its own resources...
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